Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VII, Part 1

501.BC Indonesia/1–1849: Telegram

The Ambassador in Belgium (Kirk) to the Acting Secretary of State

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Brussels, January 18, 1949—4 p. m.

86. At conclusion brief interview with Spaak¹ this noon on another topic he interjected inquiry about tenor and text proposed US resolution before Security Council re Indonesia. Upon my reply that I had no recent and positive information on what our final position in SC would be, Spaak said his sources indicated we were about to insist (a) Dutch withdraw troops to pre-December 17 lines and (b) GOC being rejuvenated with vigorous directive from SC. (Both these points at variance with position set forth infotels December 29, 1 a. m., and January 5, 9 a. m.²). Also said Dutch Ambassador had just been to see him saying Dutch were much concerned over (a) and that such withdrawal militarily and politically impossible.

Spaak said he himself could not reconcile withdrawal of Dutch troops with maintenance internal order and security in area thus vacated view natural disruption normal civil government due military operations. Even should Dutch agree withdraw (which Spaak does not believe they will) he feared condition anarchy and grave disorder would follow such withdrawal.

As for GOC, Spaak stated flatly once more that he thought it a body which had lost credit and was not susceptible of rejuvenation with any hope real accomplishment.

He gave me these views and asked to be informed if I were furnished any details our impending line approach this thorny problem. He readily agreed Dutch military authorities had committed very stupid blunder in their treatment Republic leaders. While Spaak knows our general attitude vis-à-vis Dutch procedures, this particular brief meeting was not occasion for me to elaborate to him personally and in detail our position as set forth Department’s airgram January 5, 11:50 a. m.,³ and Depcirtel December 31, 1 a. m.⁴ However, if you decide to send me further details as to our contemplated action in SC which can be relayed to Spaak, such further interview would appear appropriate occasion further to develop detail our basic point of view.

Repeated The Hague 5.

Kirk

1. Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgian Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
2. Neither printed.
3. Not printed.
4. Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. vi, p. 617.